Garment shoulder strap holder



Aug. 25, 1953 E. M. CARLIN 2,649,639

GARMENT SHOULDER STRAP HOLDER Filed April '7, 1950 In new tor E52 6 2 4274142 Oar/2h, .9

Allornm' Patented Aug. 25, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GARMENT SHOULDER STRAP HOLDER Etta. Maude Carlin, Bovill, Idaho Application April 7, 1950, Serial No. 154,621

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to a novel holder of extremely simple construction for holding garment shoulder straps properly positioned relatively to one another and so that the shoulder straps engaging each shoulder will be disposed one beneath the other.

More specifically, it is an aim of the present invention to provide a shoulder strap holder of extremely simple construction which is primarily adapted for use in holding the shoulder straps of a brassiere properly positioned beneath the shoulder straps of a slip to prevent the shoulder straps engaging each shoulder from becoming separated and also to prevent the shoulder straps engaging the two shoulders from sliding off of the shoulders and down the arms.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a shoulder strap holder which will be ornamental in appearance and which is extremely simple in construction involving no complicated catches which are diflicult to engage and disengage and which may be quickly and easily applied and removed.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter become more fully apparent from the following description of the drawing, illustrating a presently preferred embodiment thereof, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view showing the shoulder strap holder in an applied position;

Figure 2 is an enlarged front elevational or plan view of one end of the holder;

Figure 3 is a plan view of one of the shoulder strap engaging members shown in an extended position;

Figure 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along a plane as indicated by the line 4-4 of Figure 2, and

Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the shoulder strap engaging members.

Referring more specifically to the drawing, the garment shoulder strap holder in its entirety is designated generally 6 and includes a pair of shoulder strap engaging units 1 and a connecting member, designated generally 8.

Each shoulder strap engaging unit 1 includes an elongated rectangular frame 9 formed of wire or other stock which is preferably of circular cross section. The frame 9 is provided with an I integral elongated loop or eye ID at one end thereof and which is disposed externally of the frame 9, as best illustrated in Figures 3 and 5. The shoulder strap engaging member I also ineludes an elongated plate II one end of which is'rolled to provide a transversely extending barrel I2 which rotatably engages the end of the frame 9 disposed remote to the eye l0. As best illustrated in Figure 4, the barrel [2 is offset with respect to the plane of the plate II by an extension l3 of said barrel l2 which is preferably disposed at substantially a right angle to the plane of the plate H. The plate II is provided at its opposite end with an integral elongated loop or eye M which is likewise offset from the plane of the plate II, in the same direction as the barrel l2, by an integral restricted shank 15. As seen in Figure 3, the loop I4 is disposed transversely of the plate H and the loop I0 is likewise disposed transversely of the frame 9. As seen in Figure 4, the loop M is disposed in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the plate ll. Only one of the strap holding units I has been described but it will be understood that the other strap holding unit 1 corresponds in every detail therewith. The plate ll of a length and width less than the length and width, respectively of the frame 9 so that the plate may be swung from its position of Figure 5 in a clockwise direction through the frame 9 and will be supported therebeneath by the barrel portion l2 engaging one end of the frame 9 and by the loop l4 engaging the opposite end of said frame 9, as seen in Figure 4.

The connecting member 8 includes an elongated flexible member I6 which preferably constitutes a relatively fine chain. A hook I! is connected to each end of the flexible member IE or to each end chain link and the two hooks l1 constitute a part of the connecting member 8. As best seen in Figure 4, the hooks H are relatively long and flat and the turned hack free ends or bill portions thereof, designated [8, extend back a substantial distance from the bend of each hook.

From the foregoing it will be readily apparent that the two shoulder strap engaging units 7 may be readily disengaged from the hooks I'I, after which the frame 9 of one unit 1 is positioned beneath the undergarment shoulder straps I9 engaging one shoulder of the user and with the loop Ill extending toward the shoulder straps l9 of the other shoulder. The unit 1 is in an open position, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 5 when the frame 9 is thus positioned beneath the shoulder straps I l! after which the plate H is swung over the shoulder straps and through the frame 9 so that the shoulder straps 19 will be gripped between the sides of the frame 9 and the side edges of the plate II, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 4. With the parts thus disposed,

the loop l4 will be disposed substantially within the loop H], as illustrated in Figure 4. The other shoulder strap engaging member 1 is then engaged with the shoulder straps 19 which engage over the other shoulder of the wearer and is similarly positioned so that the loops Hi and M of the two shoulder strap engaging members 1 will extend toward one another. One hook I! is then engaged downwardly through the loops or eyes :13 and ill of one member l and the other hook I! is similarly engaged through the eyes I4 and I 6 of the other member I so that the connecting member 8 will not only prevent the shoulder straps l9 of the two shouldersirom sliding outwardly and away from one another and off of the shoulders but the hooksfthereof P will also retain the shoulder strap engaging members l in their closed positions, as illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 4 to retain the shoulder straps clamped therein so that the shoulder straps of each shoulder will be disposed one beneath the other and so that the connecting members 1 may not slide relatively to the shoulder straps l9.

The-garment shoulder strap holder may be worn beneath a dress so that it will be invisible or may be worn so that the flexible member or chain l will be visible and .said chain as well as the other parts may be formed of any precious metal such as gold or silver, of a gold or silver plated metal or of any other suitable material.

Various modifications and changes are contemplated and may obviously be resorted to, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as hereinafter defined by the appended claim.

I claim as my invention;

In a garment shoulder strap holder, a shoulder strap engaging member comp-rising pivotally connected sections adapted to clamp therein a plurality of shoulder straps engaging one shoulder of the user, and a connecting member having means at one endthereof detachably engaging free ends of the shoulder strap engaging sections for holding said shoulder strap engaging member in a closed position and in gripping engagement with the shoulder straps, said shoulder strap engaging member comprising an elongated rectangular frame having an externally disposed loop at one end thereof and a plate having a barrel portion disposed transversely of one of its ends and turnably engaging the other end cfjthe frame, said plate having a loop at its opposite end, the plate port-ion disposed between the barrel portion and said plate loop being smaller than the frame to fit therein when the plateloop is disposed adjacently the loop of the frame, and said means of the connecting member cemprisingahook detachably engaging said loops to. retain the plate in a closed position in the frame'said barrel portion and plate loop each being offset relatively to the plane of said plate portion and in the same direction whereby said plate portion-may pass completely through the frame as the loop thereof is moved to a position adjacentthe frame loop.

ETTA 1 MAUDE' CARLIN.

References Cited in the file 'of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

